LESSONS
These are the first steps to take to compete for government contracts
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All of these steps are beginner steps. They will show you what to do to create a government account (SAM). With this account, you can browse the sam.gov page to compete for federal contracts.
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If you are looking to obtain a state contract, you will need to obtain more information from your state. Because all states work differently, they may have different processes for applying for a contract.
SAM registration
Navigate to sam.gov and click the 'Get Started' link to begin your sam registration. All contractors must have an active SAM account in order to obtain a federal contract.
You will need to create a SAM account and follow all the instructions. You will need personal information and your company information in order for the site to locate all of your company information.
Registering with SAM is crucial to obtaining government contracts. The system will be assigning your company a CAGE code and a DUNS code. These codes are used to identify your entity. These codes are used to receive contracts and payments from the federal government.
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This is a simplified version of registering with SAM. I will post a more detailed version of all the information that is needed when creating a record.
Looking for Contracts
You can use the sam.gov website to start a search to find available contract opportunities in your area. The sam.gov website serves as the government entry point (GPE). This is where the federal government will post any opportunities your business may qualify for. With a simple search, you can find out if the government is requesting your services near your area.
Registering your business with sam is the first step in winning a government contract. It's safe to assume they won't award your company a contract if it's not in their system.
However, there are plenty of tips and tricks to help your business stand out from the rest. There are certain things that the government looks for before awarding contracts. Tools are available to make it easier for you to reach your goal of winning your first contract. The important thing is to distinguish the useful information from the information that your company does not need to be competitive.